US3858441A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Soil testing apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-07-12
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Granted: 1975-01-07
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Expires: 1993-07-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a system for the in situ measurement of the mechanical properties for soils of foundations. The system consists of a probe means with a generally cylindrical inflatable membrane and a lowering tube for lowering the probe into a bore hole in the ground where the mechanical properties of the soils are to be measured. Means are provided to fill the membrane with a non-compressible fluid, such as water, and further means are provided to supply measured quantities of the fluid to the membrane after it is filled to thereby inflate the membrane. The volume of fluid supplied under pressure is recorded along with the pressures under which the corresponding volumes are supplied. Preferably, the membrane is non-inflatable in the longitudinal direction thereof and inflatable to only a predetermined extent in the transverse or radial direction thereof. The disclosure also teaches a preferred structure of a probe and a membrane for the probe.
Inventors
- 👤 Henri Jules Comeau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 07:36
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B49/00; E21B49/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
227 words
A system for the in situ measurement of the mechanical properties of soils in the ground comprising; a probe means comprising a generally cylindrical inflatable membrane; means for inserting the probe means in a bore hole in the ground; means for filling the membrane with a non-compressible fluid; means for supplying measured volumes of said non-compressible fluid to said membrane under pressure after it is filled to thereby inflate said membrane; and means for measuring the volumes of the fluid supplied under pressure and the pressures under which the corresponding volumes are supplied; characterized in that said membrane comprises a plurality of longitudinal strands extending in the longitudinal direction of the membrane and disposed with equal horizontal spacing between strands; the length of each of said longitudinal strands being substantially equal to the length of the membrane, said longitudinal strands being non-expandable in the longitudinal direction; said longitudinal strands being embedded in an elastomeric material; and a plurality of horizontal strands embedded in said elastomeric material; each of said horizontal strands being joined to two adjacent longitudinal strands; said horizontal strands being equally spaced in the longitudinal direction of said membrane; said horizontal strands all being of equal length; whereby said membrane is substantially non-inflatable in the longitudinal direction of the membrane and is inflatable only to a controlled extent in the transverse or radial direction thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
227 words
A system for the in situ measurement of the mechanical properties of soils in the ground comprising; a probe means comprising a generally cylindrical inflatable membrane; means for inserting the probe means in a bore hole in the ground; means for filling the membrane with a non-compressible fluid; means for supplying measured volumes of said non-compressible fluid to said membrane under pressure after it is filled to thereby inflate said membrane; and means for measuring the volumes of the fluid supplied under pressure and the pressures under which the corresponding volumes are supplied; characterized in that said membrane comprises a plurality of longitudinal strands extending in the longitudinal direction of the membrane and disposed with equal horizontal spacing between strands; the length of each of said longitudinal strands being substantially equal to the length of the membrane, said longitudinal strands being non-expandable in the longitudinal direction; said longitudinal strands being embedded in an elastomeric material; and a plurality of horizontal strands embedded in said elastomeric material; each of said horizontal strands being joined to two adjacent longitudinal strands; said horizontal strands being equally spaced in the longitudinal direction of said membrane; said horizontal strands all being of equal length; whereby said membrane is substantially non-inflatable in the longitudinal direction of the membrane and is inflatable only to a controlled extent in the transverse or radial direction thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said probe means comprises a first collar for receiving one end of said membrane; a second collar for receiving the other end of said membrane; a rod extending inwardly from said first collar; a cylinder extending inwardly from said second collar; said rod fitting in said cylinder in sliding engagement therewith; whereby, when said membrane extends in the transverse direction thereof, said rod will slide in said cylinder to thereby decrease the length of said membrane, under inflation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
121 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for supplying measured quantities of said fluid comprises: a volumetric cylinder for containing said non-compressible fluid and comprising inlet means and outlet means; said outlet means of said cylinder communicating with an inlet means of said membrane; a piston slidable in said cylinder and having a face adjacent the inlet means of said cylinder; and means for supplying gas under pressure to said inlet means of said cylinder, whereby, when gas under pressure is thereto supplied, said piston will be forced towards said outlet means of said cylinder thereby pushing the fluid out of said cylinder through said outlet means of said cylinder and to the inlet means of said membrane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as defined in claim 3 and further comprising means for measuring the movement of said piston to thereby measure the volume of fluid supplied to said membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as defined in claim 3 and comprising a pressure gauge between the outlet means of said cylinder and the inlet means of said membrane to measure the pressure under which fluid is supplied to said membrane.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |